ANZPT Perth: Day 3, level 15-16 updates

Reigning APPT Grand Final champion Aaron Benton has collected his first ANZPT cash in 21st place. Benton stuck in his chips with A-10 on a flop of 2♥4♥ [10h] but Dale Marsland called and showed pocket kings.

Aaron Benton impressive list of achievements now includes an ANZPT in-the-money finish

The turn 6♣ and river 8♦ didn't improve the situation for the affable Benton, who takes home AUD $5100. Tue Le has regained the chip lead on 500,000, narrowly ahead of day two frontrunner Roman Konopacki on 470,000.

2.15pm: Kemmler confirms back-to-back cashes

The rapid rate of eliminations continues with the departure of Andy Kemmler in 22nd. It was A-J for Vesko Zmukic versus the pocket 10s of Kemmler, who placed 19th in the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event last month. Zmukic found an ace on the turn, and Kemmler was off to collect his AUD $4600. But better fortunes for Ryan Bochorsky, who just doubled through Ben Savage when he rivered a flush against pocket jacks.

2pm: Beavis bumps Maniam

Sanjiv Maniam was the first player to collect AUD $4600 after he was confirmed as the 24th place player in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Perth Main Event. Maniam's short stack was invested on the back of K-Q, with the call from Wade Beavis with pocket jacks. The board ran out eight-high, and Maniam was out.

A slice of poker history for Sanjiv Maniam, the first player to cash in the inaugural ANZPT Perth Main Event

He was followed shortly after by Stewart Ballard in 23rd. Beavis, now holding 350,000 and in second spot on the chip count, has staged an amazing comeback after being almost down to the felt in the early going.

1.45pm: O'Reilly bubbles and we're in the money

It took just one hand for the top 24 players to be decided after Tu Le claimed the scalp of Sean O'Reilly in 25th place. The money went in on the river, with O'Reilly revealing a straight but Tu Le's modest 10-6 had improved to a flush.

Sean O'Reilly started the day in good shape but bowed out as the bubble boy

That means that Tony Hachem's amazing ANZPT record continues with his sixth cash in seven events, while Andy Kemmler and Chris Evans have cashed in both events held so far this season. Players are taking a quick breather while the 100 chips are removed from play.

1.30pm: Level 16 (2500/5000, ante 500)

It's taken just an hour of day three to reach the bubble in the first PokerStars.net ANZPT Perth Main Event after the elimination of Anthony Marenko in 26th position. After starting the day third in chips, Marenko found himself behind from go to woe with A-J against the A-K of Tu Le. After losing the bulk of his chips earlier in the level, Tu Le is back to 300,000.

All aboard the ANZPT roller coaster with Tu Le

1.15pm: Dead end for Lane

John Lane's boundless enthusiasm has been of the highlights of the tournament, but his ANZPT Perth experience has ended agonisingly close to the cash. The last of his chips were committed in good shape with A♥K♦, with Aleks Lackovic along for the ride with K♠9♣. But Lane shrieked when the 9♥ appeared in the window, and his mood didn't improve as the board ran out 2♣5♦Q♠2♥. He departed in 27th position, shortly after Luis Pampliega had been KOed in 28th.

1pm: Dunwoodie done

Aussie PokerStars Qualifier Daniel Laidlaw has been of the main aggressors in the opening 30 minutes of play. His first all-in met with no interest, but a second from middle position was greeted with a call from Sean Dunwoodie, who grimaced as he showed pocket kings in response to Laidlaw's pocket aces. The board ran out 9♣7♦3♣8♠7♥, and Dunwoodie was out in 29th. Ben Savage also made an early double-up with pocket kings against the pocket jacks of Wade Beavis.

12.50pm: Lackovic is back

Fireworks - it took only three hands for Chris Evans and former chip leader Aleks Lackovic to tangle in a massive pot. It was Q♥Q♣ for Evans against the flopped top-pair for Lackovic, who held K♥7♥. The board fell 9♠K♣ [5h3♥6♥, improving Lackovic's hand to a flush and shipping him a pot of more than 300,000.

Not quite the start to day three Chris Evans had in mind

At the other end of the tournament area, John Corr became the 30th-place finisher when Eoin Kennedy called is all-in and showed pocket jacks. Corr showed A-K but missed the board and headed to the rail just six spots short of the money.

12.40pm: Level 15 (2000/4000, ante 400)

Players have left the glorious sunshine behind to take their seats for day three of the PokerStars.net ANZPT Perth Main Event. It's day three here at Burswood Casino, where the first goal for the remaining 30 players will be to make the top 24, thus ensuring a trip to the cashier's cage. Play will then continue until the final table of nine is decided. Chip leader is local player Roman Konopacki, who holds more than twice the chips of second-placed Chris Evans.